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Mohlman J, Watson LM, Basch CH. The COVID-19 Inventory: Measuring anxiety related to illness pandemic across college males and females. J Prev Interv Community 2021; 49:163-178. [PMID: 33797333 DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2021.1908204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to close proximity in dormitories, classes, and social activities, college students have been identified as a vulnerable population throughout the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. OBJECTIVES This study tested properties of a new COVID-19 Inventory (C-19-I). It was expected that the measure would show acceptable validity and reliability, females would report greater COVID-19 anxiety than males, and the addition of gender would improve a regression model of COVID-19 anxiety. METHOD Participants were 201 college undergraduates who completed multiple self-report measures and two snack selection tasks. RESULTS The C-19-I showed a multifactor solution and acceptable psychometric properties. Females scored higher than males and were more likely than males to select a healthy snack after responding to questions about illness and contamination. CONCLUSIONS This study validates a new measure of COVID-19 anxiety and contributes to a deeper understanding of how college adults respond to pandemic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mohlman
- Department of Psychology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, USA
| | - Leah M Watson
- Department of Psychology, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, USA
| | - Corey H Basch
- Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, USA
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Brady RE, Badour CL, Arega EA, Levy JJ, Adams TG. Evaluating the mediating effects of perceived vulnerability to disease in the relation between disgust and contamination-based OCD. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 79:102384. [PMID: 33774559 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Contamination-based obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is thought to develop and be maintained by excessive propensity to experience disgust, particularly in response to perceived contaminants, and dysfunctional threat appraisals pertaining to illness. The present studies attempted to integrate these lines of research by testing the degree to which contamination-based OCD is associated with individual differences in disgust propensity and sensitivity, affective distress in response to perceived contaminants, and perceived threat of illness. In Study 1, a convenience sample of 185 adults completed self-report scales assessing obsessive-compulsive symptoms, disgust propensity and sensitivity, germ aversion, and perceived infectability. Multivariate regression showed that disgust propensity and germ aversion were the only significant predictors of contamination-based obsessions and compulsions. Exploratory analyses suggested that there was a significant indirect effect of disgust propensity on contamination-based obsessions and compulsions via germ aversion. Findings from Study 1 were replicated using a sample of twenty-six obsessive-compulsive participants. Despite the substantially smaller sample, the proportion of the total effects attributable to the mediating effect of germ aversion was comparable, consistent with a significant partial mediation in both samples. These results together suggest that contamination-based OCD symptoms are likely maintained and motivated by basic affective processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Brady
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, United States; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, United States.
| | | | - Enat A Arega
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, United States
| | - Joshua J Levy
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, United States
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Ways in which healthcare interior environments are associated with perceived safety against infectious diseases and coping behaviours. J Hosp Infect 2020; 106:107-114. [PMID: 32585171 PMCID: PMC7308774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global pandemic outbreaks are a cause of fear. Healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those fighting the pathogens at the front line, are at higher risk of being infected while they treat patients. In addition, various environmental fomites in hospitals, which may carry infectious agents, can increase the risk of acquiring an infectious disease. AIM In order to deliver the best healthcare practice, it is critical that HCWs feel safe and protected against infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to improve understanding of HCWs' hand hygiene (HH) behaviours and perceptions of infectious diseases from a psychological perspective. METHODS Environmental features were observed in three departments, and questionnaires were used to determine perceived safety against infectious diseases among HCWs and the coping behaviours they used (e.g. avoidance and disinfection). FINDINGS This study found that an increase in the number of HH stations at convenient locations would increase HH compliance and perceived safety against infectious diseases among HCWs. In response to the current research gap in psychological aspects associated with HH, this study found that HCWs' coping behaviours can be predicted by their perceived likelihood of contamination and perceived vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS The study findings should be interpreted with care, and further studies with more academic rigor are needed.
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Bhikram T, Abi-Jaoude E, Sandor P. OCD: obsessive-compulsive … disgust? The role of disgust in obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2017; 42:300-306. [PMID: 28375077 PMCID: PMC5573572 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.160079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has identified the important role of disgust in the symptomatology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Exaggerated and inappropriate disgust reactions may drive some of the symptoms of OCD, and in some cases, may even eclipse feelings of anxiety. This paper reviews behavioural and neuroimaging research that recognizes the prominent role of disgust in contributing to OCD symptoms, especially contamination-based symptoms. We discuss how elevated behavioural and biological markers of disgust reported in OCD populations support the need for alternative clinical treatment strategies and theoretical models of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Bhikram
- Correspondence to: T. Bhikram, University Health Network, Tourette Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic, 399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8;
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Olatunji BO, Armstrong T, Elwood L. Is Disgust Proneness Associated With Anxiety and Related Disorders? A Qualitative Review and Meta-Analysis of Group Comparison and Correlational Studies. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1745691616688879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests that disgust may be linked to the etiology of some anxiety-related disorders. The present investigation reviews this literature and employs separate meta-analyses of clinical group comparison and correlational studies to examine the association between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms. Meta-analysis of 43 group comparison studies revealed those high in anxiety disorder symptoms reported significantly more disgust proneness than those low in anxiety symptoms. Although this effect was not moderated by clinical versus analogue studies or type of disorder, larger group differences were observed for those high in anxiety symptoms associated with contagion concerns compared to those high in anxiety symptoms not associated with contagion concerns. Similarly, meta-analysis of correlational data across 83 samples revealed moderate associations between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms. Moderator analysis revealed that the association between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms was especially robust for anxiety symptoms associated with contagion concerns. After controlling for measures of negative affect, disgust proneness continued to be moderately correlated with anxiety-related disorder symptoms. However, negative affect was no longer significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety-related disorders when controlling for disgust proneness. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of a novel transdiagnostic model.
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Buyukturkoglu K, Roettgers H, Sommer J, Rana M, Dietzsch L, Arikan EB, Veit R, Malekshahi R, Kircher T, Birbaumer N, Sitaram R, Ruiz S. Self-Regulation of Anterior Insula with Real-Time fMRI and Its Behavioral Effects in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Feasibility Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135872. [PMID: 26301829 PMCID: PMC4547706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic condition that can have disabling effects throughout the patient's lifespan. Frequent symptoms among OCD patients include fear of contamination and washing compulsions. Several studies have shown a link between contamination fears, disgust over-reactivity, and insula activation in OCD. In concordance with the role of insula in disgust processing, new neural models based on neuroimaging studies suggest that abnormally high activations of insula could be implicated in OCD psychopathology, at least in the subgroup of patients with contamination fears and washing compulsions. Methods In the current study, we used a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) based on real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) to aid OCD patients to achieve down-regulation of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal in anterior insula. Our first aim was to investigate whether patients with contamination obsessions and washing compulsions can learn to volitionally decrease (down-regulate) activity in the insula in the presence of disgust/anxiety provoking stimuli. Our second aim was to evaluate the effect of down-regulation on clinical, behavioural and physiological changes pertaining to OCD symptoms. Hence, several pre- and post-training measures were performed, i.e., confronting the patient with a disgust/anxiety inducing real-world object (Ecological Disgust Test), and subjective rating and physiological responses (heart rate, skin conductance level) of disgust towards provoking pictures. Results Results of this pilot study, performed in 3 patients (2 females), show that OCD patients can gain self-control of the BOLD activity of insula, albeit to different degrees. In two patients positive changes in behaviour in the EDT were observed following the rtfMRI trainings. Behavioural changes were also confirmed by reductions in the negative valence and in the subjective perception of disgust towards symptom provoking images. Conclusion Although preliminary, results of this study confirmed that insula down-regulation is possible in patients suffering from OCD, and that volitional decreases of insula activation could be used for symptom alleviation in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korhan Buyukturkoglu
- Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences, International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Hans Roettgers
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Mohit Rana
- Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences, International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Leonie Dietzsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ezgi Belkis Arikan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Veit
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Rahim Malekshahi
- Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences, International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Ospedale San Camillo, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Venezia, Italy
| | - Ranganatha Sitaram
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SR); (RS)
| | - Sergio Ruiz
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (SR); (RS)
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Weck F, Esch S, Rohrmann S. The role of disgust in patients with hypochondriasis. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2014; 27:576-86. [PMID: 24325445 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2013.873793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Theoretically, disgust sensitivity and disgust proneness could play an important role in hypochondriasis, since disgust is a defensive emotion widely believed to protect the organism from illness. However, empirical evidence to support this hypothesis has so far been based only on nonclinical samples, so that the importance and specificity of disgust for hypochondriasis remains unclear. In the current study, 36 patients with hypochondriasis, 27 with an anxiety disorder, and 29 healthy controls completed several measures which included the assessment of disgust sensitivity (Scale for the Assessment of Disgust Sensitivity) and disgust proneness (Questionnaire for the Assessment of Disgust Proneness). We found that patients with hypochondriasis and those with an anxiety disorder had higher scores than those of the healthy controls for several measures of disgust proneness. Moreover, measures of hypochondriacal characteristics were associated with those of disgust proneness and disgust sensitivity. However, no differences were found between patients with hypochondriasis and those with anxiety disorders, with respect to disgust proneness and disgust sensitivity. Therefore, it can be assumed that disgust proneness and disgust sensitivity seem to be less specific than previously suggested for the development and maintenance of hypochondriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Weck
- a Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy , Goethe-University of Frankfurt , Frankfurt , Germany
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